5 minutes read
The holidays in Lagos are a unique kind of beautiful chaos. You have the “I Just Got Back” cousins visiting, Grandma and Grandpa settling in, and the kids buzzing with holiday sugar and excitement.
But as parents, we often notice a worrying trend every December. We call it the “Generation Silo.”
The teenagers are in one corner scrolling through TikTok; the toddlers are glued to cartoons on an iPad to keep them quiet; and the grandparents are sitting in the parlor watching the news. Everyone is in the same room, yet nobody is connecting.
Here is what child development experts suggest: Intergenerational play—where children, parents, and seniors play together—is one of the most powerful tools for family well-being.
- For Kids: It builds vocabulary and social scripts (learning how to take turns).
- For Grandparents: Strategy games are proven to keep neural pathways sharp.
- For You: It lowers cortisol (stress) levels after a long year of Lagos hustle.
So, this holiday, let’s put the screens in a basket by the door. Here are 5 games available at Daily Kids Find that bridge the gap between “Old School” wisdom and “Gen Alpha” curiosity.
1. The Cultural Connector: Ayo (Mancala)
Best For: Ages 6 to 90 Skills: Fine Motor Control, Strategy, Mental Math.
In many Nigerian homes, the Ayo board is treated like furniture, but it should be a daily activity. It is not just a game of luck; it is a game of calculation.
- The Developmental Science: For your child, picking up those small seeds requires a refined pincer grasp—the exact same muscle coordination needed to hold a pencil correctly at school. For Grandma, the rapid calculation required to capture seeds stimulates the brain’s prefrontal cortex.
- Why It Bonds the Family: It levels the playing field. Often, the elders are the experts here. It empowers them to teach the grandchildren strategy, reversing the usual dynamic where kids are the ones explaining technology to adults.
- Get it at Daily Kids Find: We stock authentic, smooth-finish wooden Ayo boards that are durable enough to be passed down as heirlooms.
2. The Great Equalizer: Whot!
Best For: Ages 4+ (with help) to Adults Skills: Executive Function, Pattern Recognition, Impulse Control.
Is it really a Nigerian holiday if someone doesn’t slam a card on the table and shout “Last Card!”?
- The Developmental Science: Whot! is a hidden workout for Executive Function. Players must constantly shift their attention (“Am I matching the shape or the number?”) and inhibit the impulse to play out of turn.
- The “Lagos Power Cut” Solution: This is the perfect game for when the power goes out or you just want a break from the generator noise. It requires no batteries just a lantern and laughter.
- Parenting Tip: Play “Open Hand” with toddlers so they can learn shapes (Circles, Triangles, Stars) without the pressure of competition.
3. The Vocabulary Builder: Scrabble
Best For: Ages 7+ to Seniors Skills: Verbal Reasoning, Spelling, Memory.
Nigeria has a reputation for producing some of the world’s best Scrabble players. It’s a staple in educated households for a reason.
- The Developmental Science: Scrabble builds what experts call “Working Vocabulary.” When a child sees an uncle build a complex word, they inevitably ask, “What does that mean?” That moment of curiosity is worth more than ten hours of classroom drilling.
- How to Play Across Ages: Don’t be too strict with the rules for younger kids. Let them team up with a grandparent. The child manages the tiles (fine motor skills), and the grandparent supplies the words (long-term memory access). It’s teamwork at its finest.
4. The Tension Breaker: Jenga (or Stacking Towers)
Best For: Ages 3 to 103 Skills: Hand-Eye Coordination, Physics, Patience.
Sometimes you need a game that doesn’t require reading, math, or language barriers—just pure focus and steady hands.
- The Developmental Science: This game teaches self-regulation. To keep the tower from falling, a child (and adult!) must control their breathing and steady their hand. It creates a quiet, focused intensity that is rare in our noisy city.
- Why We Love It: The suspense is universal. Whether your family speaks Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or English, the collective gasp when the tower wobbles brings everyone together.
5. The Strategy Master: Ludo
Best For: Ages 4+ Skills: Counting, Probability, Coping with “Unfairness.”
Ludo is the lesson that life isn’t always fair—and that is a good thing to learn early!
- The Developmental Science: For the little ones (ages 4-6), Ludo is a vibrant, interactive math lesson. Moving the token requires one-to-one correspondence counting (matching one number spoken to one movement made).
- The Connection: It is slow-paced enough to allow for conversation. While you are waiting for a six to come out, you are talking. You are sharing stories about school, work, or “the good old days.”
Give the Gift of Connection This Holiday
We often feel pressured to buy the most expensive electronic gadgets to keep kids occupied. But the best toy you can give your child is connection.
When you sit on the floor to play Ludo or teach them Ayo, you are doing more than passing time. You are building their self-esteem (“Daddy likes playing with me”) and strengthening their cognitive skills in a way no app can replicate.
Ready to upgrade your Family Game Night?
At Daily Kids Find, we have curated a collection of board games, puzzles, and interactive toys specifically chosen for quality and educational value. We know Lagos kids play hard, so we stock toys that last.
👉 Browse our Family Games Collection at DailyKidsFind.com Visit our Lagos store (open late this season!) or order online for fast delivery before the holiday rush.
